Nina Simone - Ain't Got No...I've Got Life

Nina Simone possessed one of the most unique voices of the 20th century, and she used to explore a variety of genres: everything from blues, gospel, and jazz to folk, rock, and world music, to name just a handful. To Be Free: The Nina Simone Story, a box set RCA/Legacy was released on September 30th, collects tracks from Simone in all of these genres and more.



To Be Free's three CDs feature 51 tracks spanning 1957-93, including all of Simone's songs to chart nationally in the U.S. and UK (though not necessarily in their single versions) and a selection of her covers that includes Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Bee Gees, Bessie Smith, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Richie Havens, Olatunji, and several American standards as subjects.

Simone's live power is also documented on To Be Free, as 24 of the set's tracks are live (although a couple originally billed as "live" were actually studio tracks with overdubbed applause).

In addition to the three CDs, To Be Free includes a fourth disc: a DVD featuring a short documentary and nine bonus performances.




Source: Press Release